Author: Jaime Lawrence, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Founder of Harmony Garden Music Therapy Services | Performer with The Harmony Gardeners
Music for Babies and Toddlers: More Than Just Play
At Harmony Garden, we don’t just sing songs – we help children grow. That belief is woven into everything we do, including the theme song of our family performance group, The Harmony Gardeners:
“We’re the Harmony Gardeners, we’re here to help you grow.
In the garden you can find nourishment for the brain, body, and soul…”
As a board-certified music therapist with almost 20 years of experience in early childhood music, I’ve seen how music becomes a language of connection long before children speak their first words. And now, new research is backing that up.
New Study Confirms: Singing to Your Baby Supports Development
In a June 2025 article from NPR, researchers found that babies whose parents sang to them regularly showed stronger early development, including better social communication and bonding. The article emphasized that music – especially singing – might be as important as talking when it comes to helping babies grow.
👉 Read the full NPR article here
This aligns perfectly with what music therapists have always known: music is not just entertainment – it’s a powerful tool for developmental support in infants and toddlers.
What Is Early Childhood Music Therapy?
Early childhood music therapy is the clinical use of music to support developmental goals like motor coordination, speech development, emotional regulation, and social interaction.
At Harmony Garden, we’ve created a free downloadable guide to help families use music at home to support milestones from birth to 24 months.
🎵 Get the Free Developmental Music Activities Guide →
This resource includes:
- Infant-friendly songs for tummy time, sleep, and sensory play
- Tips for musical interaction based on your baby’s age and stage
- Fun ideas for name songs, movement games, and vocal imitation
By incorporating music into everyday routines, families can help their child reach key milestones in a joyful, natural way.
Music Is Our Medicine: The Harmony Gardeners Approach
Our theme song says it best:
“Music is our medicine – we like to dance and sing.”
When families sing together – when toddlers pretend, bounce, take turns, and engage with rhythm – they’re learning more than music. They’re building confidence, friendships, body awareness, and emotional intelligence.
As a performer with The Harmony Gardeners, I see how our music brings people together. We design songs that are developmentally supportive and fun to sing – songs that can become part of daily life.
Why Early Childhood Music Is More Important Than Ever
In a world full of screens and overstimulation, early childhood music offers something simple and powerful:
- Real-time interaction
- Social-emotional growth
- Movement and physical development
- Parent-child bonding
Music invites connection, creativity, and calm. And when we play music in a group setting – whether in a class, a concert, or even a park – children learn from watching each other, copying gestures, and forming friendships.
Summer 2025: Join the Music!
🎶 New Album Coming Soon
The Harmony Gardeners are releasing an album this summer! It’s filled with original songs written for families with young children, covering themes like feelings, outdoor play, and growing up.
🎶 Summer Concert Series
We’re performing all summer long with free, family-friendly concerts throughout Jackson, MI. These are joyful, community-building events where kids dance barefoot, families connect, and music fills the air.
📅 View our full concert lineup and event info – https://hgmusictherapy.com/events/
🎶 Free Early Childhood Resources
Don’t forget to grab our free PDF full of music activities to do at home:
📥 Download the Developmental Music Activities Guide
Final Thoughts: Let’s Grow Together
Whether you’re rocking your baby to sleep, dancing in the kitchen, or singing with us at a concert, you’re doing something powerful: you’re helping your child grow.
Music doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be shared.
If you’re looking for ways to support your baby or toddler’s development – and connect as a family – we’d love to see you this summer. Come sing with us, dance with us, and grow with us.
Xoxo,
Jaime
